Basically, if you have 10 homes appreciate at 2.5% then the equity of your portfolio has grown by 25% which is enough for a downpayment on your next home.I personally don't see an outright advantage to any strategy as long as you are capitalized, have good enough credit for financing, have money set aside for reserves, and don't buy pigs.

And why is 85% LTV not good enough?

@Joshua Johnson - The solution is to don't think.The solution to your problem is actually buried in your original post: you're thinking too much about stuff that simply doesn't matter--just do the actions that is needed to get the result.If a deal is 'good enough' to meet your underwriting standards, just pursue it.

I foolishly passed on it early on because I didn't think it was a good enough deal.

Not nearly good enough to eliminate an established infestation of BB.

It's hard as she hasn't been on the journey with me yet - still thinks rent covering PITI is good enough, doesn't get cashflow and equity appreciation.

Yes the city can get you with eviction court, water bills, and property taxes but in the better areas you can get good enough tenants with the right plan.  100k arv is a better number to start with than the city or county.

If you find deals that are good enough someone will always help you w financing.

@Jessica JamesIn my experience, if you’re having trouble finding cash buyers your deal isn’t good enough.

If you're flipping a lower end home, some of the HD laminates they have on the market can be really nice and good enough for what you're doing.